Tamper resistant outlets
One of our articles this month is on Tamper Resistant Outlets. Here are some links to more information:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV8GHN5U1Qs&feature=search
http://www.childoutletsafety.org/
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?pn=KH_PG_...
Price Reductions!
We recently have had a slew of price reductions on all our listings - the market slows down in the summer, but our people want things sold. Go have a look.
Grilling
This came across my desk this morning: 101 Fast Recipes for Grilling
If you've lived in St. Louis for any length of time, you will recognize that we take our grills seriously here. There seem to be two grilling seasons - sometime in early April through July 4 and mid-August to late October, missing the worst of the "It's so hot I'm melting" weather we all enjoy so much. Being a single female, I am allowed to still have control of my own grill, though I allow my father the privildge of using my smoker on occasion.
In any case, I'm heading to the grocery store this evening to pick up a tub of figs, cream cheese, and some bacon. I'm pretty sure it won't be healthy, but it'll taste good.
Impact resistant roofing and what that means to a homeowner
According to State Farm insurance company, over 40% of the hail storms in the U.S. are in 4 states-Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma. It is then no wonder that we have more than our fair share, also, since we are so close to the major striking points. With this in mind, we decided to research something called impact resistant roofing. Although there have historically been impact resistant roofing materials, that wasn’t how most of us viewed them.
Slate is almost impervious to hail, but we think of it as the material used on historic homes with character. Metal roofing is also resistant to leakage caused by hail, but we think of that as a commercial product. Clay and concrete tile are resistant to hail damage, but are heavy for the structure (make sure that your home will stand the weight load) and also more expensive that the usual asphalt shingle that is the norm for our area.
Recently, manufacturers have been working on new products that are impact resistant. They have been successful, but the cost of the upgrade is substantial. It will usually cost about 50% more to replace your existing roof with impact resistant shingles, and if you are having it replaced at your insurance company’s expense, they will not pay for the upgrade.
From my research, it appears that these roofs have the additional benefit of a longer life expectancy which will partially offset the extra cost. In addition, several insurance companies will give you a discount on your homeowner’s insurance if you have one of these various types of impact resistant roofs.
